COLD WEATHER FEBRUARY 2021 UPDATE

With extreme weather conditions setting in across the country this week, we at Dublin Simon Community would like to assure our donors and stakeholders that we are doing all we can to support people weathering the storm in homelessness.

Our team has more than 50 years’ experience supporting those sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin. In recent years, they have safeguarded our city’s most vulnerable people through Storms Emma, Ophelia and countless others. They are prepared and have made several provisions to protect our clients during this freezing weather. Beds are available for everyone and the team are out on the streets from 7 am – 1 am every day engaging and case-working to get those rough sleeping into safe, warm indoor beds.

Unfortunately, there is a small population of entrenched people sleeping rough who will opt to remain outdoors regardless of the conditions. Our Outreach team will be especially focused on this group. As the weather deteriorates, the team will travel far and wide to deliver warm, dry clothing, energy dense foods and medical assistance to this vulnerable population. Arrangements are in place to ensure that we have the ability to reach people sleeping rough who may be seeking refuge in the most out-of-the-way places during heavy snowfall, day or night, seven days a week.

Our residential service teams have ensured that we have all the necessary equipment and provisions to keep everybody safe, warm and well-fed over the coming days.

You can help us now in two ways, firstly, if you spot a person rough sleeping in Dublin city, suburbs or outskirts please notify us immediately. You can do so in a range of ways: by calling (01) 872-0185, emailing info@dublinoutreach.ie or reporting the location of people who are sleeping rough using the Dublin Rough Sleeper alerts app which is available for download on the iPhone and Android app stores.

Secondly, if you are in a position to do so, please donate at the link below. Any donation you can afford will help us to keep our doors open and move people from the cold of the streets into secure shelter.

Thank you and keep safe.